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DuPont Nutrition & Health Blogger Meet on Probiotics

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We all have heard about the word Probiotic from our doctors when we consult them for certain stomach or gut related issue.  I have personally known about some of the drugs that contain probiotics, but I was always curious to know how they help our body.  Few days back, DuPont – Nutrition & Health, one of the Business unit of DuPont setup a Blogger Meet at Chancery Pavillion, Bangalore.  The company does extensive work in the area of Probiotics and wanted to share much knowledge via this meet.

What are Probiotics

Probiotics are live bacteria and yeasts that are good for you, especially your digestive system. We usually think of these as germs that cause diseases. But your body is full of bacteria, both good and bad.  Probiotics are often called “good” or “helpful” bacteria as they help keep your gut healthy.

About DuPont

A global leader in the Food & Beverage, Dietary Supplements and Pharma Excipients segments.  DuPont Nutrition & Health, a business unit of DowDuPont Specialty Products Division.  The company combines in-depth knowledge of food and nutrition with current research and expert science to deliver unmatched value to the food, beverage, pharmaceuticals and dietary supplement industries.

DuPont Nutrition & Health holds several market-leading positions among others in probiotics, pharmaceutical excipients, emulsifier and protein solutions.

This innovative company has many probiotic strains added into health supplements. The probiotics are also added into food format that benefit consumers.

In 2017, the company revenue was $4.7BN and it 8000 employees across the world.  They have more than 20 innovation & application centres along with 50 manufacturing sites.

DuPont Nutrition & Health

This business unit has 5 sub-business – Pharma Excipients; Probiotics, Cultures & Food Protection; Protein Solutions; Emulsifiers & Sweeteners; Systems & Texturants.

The company focuses on mega-trends that will define future.

  • Healthy nutrition for healthy living
  • Preventive Health
  • Clean label and natural
  • Next generation pharma excipients
  • Industrialization of emerging markets
  • Smaller & Local brands winning
Probiotics developed by the company are the result of extensive research. DuPont markets these under the brand name HOWARU. The probiotics developed are available as dietary supplements or added into food products. These products when consume have added health benefit.

Blogger Meet

DuPont Nutrition & Health setup a special Blogger meetup in Bangalore to build awareness about Probiotics.  They had couple of speakers from the company sharing info regarding the basics, science, research and growing trends.

Reena Chaudhary – Communication Specialist, South Asia, DuPont Nutrition & Health gave brief introducing to start-off the session.  She gave a little insight into the company and intent behind hosting the meet.  Previously the company has hosted Blogger Meets in Mumbai and Delhi.

Probiotics – The good bacteria

This session was taken by Prateek Nag – Regional Product Manager, DuPont Nutrition & Health.  First topic covered by him was on the basic of Probiotics and its importance in our body.

Probiotics are live microorganisms that has health benefit when consumed in adequate amounts.  In simple words, Probiotics are live organisms or “friendly bacteria” like organisms that occur naturally in the digestive tract.  Apart from that he shared some very interesting fact.

  • Macroeconomics has led to rise of billions of new middle-class consumers in emerging markets.
  • A fast aging consumer population and declining fertility rates related to Demographical shifts.
  • Rapid-growth in long-terms chronic health conditions, particularly obesity.
  • Increase in healthcare expenditure and focus on health & wellness.
  • Research has shown that the human gut has nearly 100 trillion cells and has an immune system.

Probiotics were initially used to treating ‘Digestive Issues’ like Diarrhoea, Antibiotics Diarrhoea, Travelers Diarrhoea, Abdominal pain & constipation.  But now, the probiotics are now being used for treating Cold & Flu prevention in children, allergic conditions in children and for improving vaginal health.

These good bacteria added into products like Corn flakes, Curds, Juices and more. One also needs to know – Consumption quantity, Strain, Stability & probiotic bacteria source.

Science & Benefits of Probiotics

This topic was covered by Dr.Anders Henriksson, Principal Application Specialist, DuPont Nutrition & Health.  Doctor also mentioned about the clinical research carried to improve the probiotics. These will then be effective for improving digestion and immunity.

Another very important shift in people mind is with regards to focus on ‘Prevention’ more than ‘Treatment’.  Using the product with the right probiotics can prevent many ailments.

Probiotics in Food Vs Probiotics in Medicine

This was one of the important session taken by Dr.Priyanka Rohatgi, Chief Clinical Nutritionist and HOD Dept of Nutrition & Diabetes.  She shared info on Gut Health, Immune system, Types of Probiotics, Probiotics in Food & Medicine, Importance of keeping Gut healthy.

Probiotics in Medicine
High dosage of probiotics is useful during medical condition like Diarrhoea and IBD. IBD stands for Inflammatory Bowel Disease.
The extra potion needs to treat conditions are only available via probiotics.
 
Probiotics in Food
Among the dietary sources of Probiotics comes from Cultured yogurts, Kefir, Nutritional targets, Juices, Kimchi, Buttermilk, Chocolates & Ice-creams.

She finally added that modern environment poses risk to human health, the balance of gut microbiome needs to be maintained.  To stay healthy and active, one needs to consume probiotic rich food.

Q & A Session

This was one of the best sessions in which all the panellists clarified doubts and shared as much info as possible.

Basics

What is the availability of Probiotics in India?

Very few pharmacists and doctors in India, know about Probiotics. Some of the food items, especially yogurts have probiotic infused in them.

Can anyone consume probiotics or it needs prescribed by doctor?
 
The probiotic product from DuPont are FSSAI approved.  These products can consumed without a doubt. We should be consuming Probiotic daily basis and more of it when there is a medical condition.  Its ideal to consume probiotics on daily basis, before the actual condition appears.
 
Human body’s defense mechanism breaks down after prolonged digestive issue. One can then switch to probioic supplments.
 
Probiotic supplments is useful/necessary when we are over-stressed, over-exercised or feeling bloated.  For a normal human, taking daily dosage of curd can help maintain a good gut health.

What are the sources of Probiotic bacteria apart from Lactobacillus?

Bifidobacterial one of the probiotics taken when people suffer from gastric issue.  But since the current food product have lesser quantity, we end up taking them in supplements.

Related to Consumption

What age can Probiotic can be consumed?

Administration of probiotic can be started from Placental time, Child birth and adult.  Anyone consuming probiotic should keep in mind that they should have more carbohydrates.

Does consumption of Probiotic vary as per weight, age of the person like proteins?

It does not different vary on the factors mentioned above.  But from kids to adults, the usual intake can vary between 3 Billion to 40 Billion.

Is there any problem in over-consuming Probiotics?

The products we consume like Probiotic drinks, Epigamy curds, Yogurt have around 3-5 billion probiotic bacteria.  These don’t reach the threshold that can affect us.  Even if it excess, since they are water-soluble, excess is excreted.  The only possible side-effect could be a feeling of bloating but that would happen in very rare-condition.

Related to Kids

What should be dosage for kids that are fussy eaters?

One needs to prescribe a dosage depending on the intent and health conditions. The intent could be weight gain/loss for kids, boosting immunity or others. Probiotic is not a source of nutrition and it helps only in gut-health & immunity.  So, one should not count calories when consuming Probiotic drinks.

In case of kids that go to school and go for sport later, what probiotics are recommend?

Dr.Priyanka suggested that one should give banana or carb rich diet before the child goes to workout or play sport.  Later one can give a Probiotic drink or Epigamy (artistic curd) containing Probiotics.

Related to Mental Health

Does Probiotics help in improving Mental Health or Reduce Stress?

Dr.Anders suggested that Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in our body, sends signal from abdominal to brain which causes depression.  Some of the probiotic brand claim that some of the consumers with mental issues have found benefit using probiotics.

DuPont is carrying out research in the areas of Probiotics related to Mental health. 

Studies intend to find benefit of probiotic for conditions like Gestational Diabetes, Depression. In one case study, its observed that a person consuming probiotics did more workout.  But its inconclusive, as the same needs to do with more people before confirming.

When over-stressed, over-exercised, feeling bloated, taking supplement with probiotic is very useful/necessary. For a normal human, taking daily dosage of curd can help maintain a good gut health.

Trends & Perception around Probiotics

Mr.Kiran Punjabi, Sales Manager Dietary Supplement, South Asia took the final session. He shows us a chart that listed down various Probiotic products available in the market.

The final slide spoke about the key-takeaways from the complete session.

Final Thoughts

The blogger meet helped to know a lot more about the DuPont – Nutrition & Health, research- team and their products.  I came to know in detail about the role played by these friendly bacteria in our body and benefits of these supplements.  The experts shared info regarding the product available in the market that have DuPont Probiotics in them.  Some of the session highlighted the advantage of taking Probiotic supplement as preventive measure rather than for treating.  Q&A session was very interactive and the panelists clarified all the doubts.

This session has made me realize the important of maintaining a good gut-health and role played by the Probiotics available in the market.

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